Winthrop Eliminates Radford Volleyball

ROCK HILL, S.C. --Top-seeded Winthrop eliminated Radford from the big South Tournament Tuesday night with a 3-0 first round victory at the Winthrop Coliseum. (box score)

The Eagles won 30-19, 30-15, 30-15 and were led by Tori Grafeman’s 15 kills and Jayna Baker’s 11 kills. Emily Heckl had 43 assists and Sarah Mae Billingsley had 14 kills.

Radford senior Tiffany Guthrie (Littleton, Colo.) scored eight kills and hit .316 to lead the Highlanders. Junior Elizabeth Aldredge (Richmond, Va.) had six kills and hit .300. Freshman Josie Hanners (Richmond, Va.) recorded 20 assists and sophomore Jennifer Fritz (Virginia Beach, Va.) had 11 digs.

Winthrop made and early run in game one to open it up, but the Highlanders closed back within four at 21-17 on a block by junior Christine German (Virginia Beach, Va.) and junior Divona Cox (Virginia Beach, Va.). The Eagles then used a 9-2 run to earn the 30-19 victory.

The Eagles took control in game two, jumping out to an 11-point lead at 15-4 which RU could not overcome.

Winthrop’s early 5-1 lead in game three was whittled down to a three-point lead at 8-6 on a pair of Cox kills. The Eagles were able to contain Radford from that point, however, holding RU to nine points for the rest of the game to secure the victory.

The Eagles improve to 29-2 overall and advance to face the winner of Liberty/UNC Asheville at Asheville, N.C. in Friday’s semifinals.

Radford closes out the season at 3-25 overall, 0-14 in Conference play. Three RU seniors, Kate McHugh (North Branford, Conn.), Patricia Barth (Virginia Beach, Va.) and Guthrie, closed out their careers at Radford Tuesday.